Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) present a global health crisis, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. These diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and chronic respiratory illnesses, claim a staggering 41 million lives every year. That is 74% of all global deaths. According to the World Health Organization, the impact is particularly pronounced in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where a disconcerting 85% of deaths among people aged 30 to 69 occur, highlighting a severe disparity in healthcare access and outcomes. These countries and vulnerable groups bear the brunt of the NCD burden, accounting for 77% of all NCD deaths. This grim reality demands an urgent need for comprehensive global attention and action.
Addressing NCDs is essential to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), a cornerstone of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 3. It requires a multi-faceted approach and collaborative stakeholder involvement at all levels. Enhancing the global procurement and supply chain for NCD medicines and supplies in LMICs is pivotal for closing healthcare gaps and advancing UHC goals.
Breaking down barriers to UHC
The path to breaking down barriers to UHC calls for innovative solutions. One, for instance, is optimising procurement strategies through consolidated procurement. This approach can significantly reduce the cost of NCD medicines and supplies. A Center for Global Development study highlights that pooled procurement can decrease medicine prices by 50-75%. These strategies go beyond cost reduction; they enhance supply chain reliability and forecast accuracy by creating more predictable demand patterns. This is especially crucial in LMICs, where ensuring a consistent supply of affordable NCD medicines and supplies is vital for patient care.
Complementing this approach is the increased digitisation of procurement processes. Digital platforms, such as NCDconnect, are revolutionising how procurement is managed. They not only streamline procurement processes but also foster collaboration among key players, including government agencies, healthcare providers, suppliers, and social enterprises. For instance, suppliers and manufacturers can align their production with these optimised procurement strategies to guarantee a consistent availability of medicines. Healthcare providers and NGOs can leverage platforms like NCDconnect to ensure a stable and secure supply of essential medicines. Simultaneously, governments can enact policies to encourage harmonisation and support digital health initiatives.
NCDconnect: A Tool to Optimise Your NCD Procurement Processes
NCDconnect is a digital procurement platform that serves as a self-management tool with customised catalogues, making quality medicines and medical devices for NCDs more readily accessible in LMICs. By streamlining the procurement process through consolidated requests, NCDconnect unites healthcare providers, governments, and suppliers, showcasing how digital technology can bridge healthcare gaps to contribute to UHC.
Six key benefits of the NCDconnect Platform include:
- A streamlined procurement process: It simplifies NCD medicine procurement by consolidating requests, leading to a more efficient pooled procurement process.
- Economies of scale: NCDconnect’s approach reduces the cost of essential NCD medicines for healthcare providers and patients, contributing to increased health equity and the goal of UHC.
- Predictable demand and market expansion for suppliers: It offers suppliers a more predictable demand, aiding in planning and resource allocation while also opening up new markets for pharmaceutical suppliers, especially in previously hard-to-reach regions.
- Supply chain optimisation: It improves the reliability and efficiency of the supply chain by ensuring a consistent supply of NCD medicines.
- Greater access to medicines in LMICs: Smarter procurement and supply increases the availability of crucial NCD medications in LMICs where access is often limited.
- Enhanced stakeholder collaboration: The platform brings together public and private organisations, fostering collaboration and shared objectives in NCD care.
By engaging with platforms like NCDconnect and spreading awareness, we can collectively move towards making NCD treatment accessible to everyone worldwide.